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Cam Newton Underwent Ankle Surgery

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton will underwent ankle surgery today , and he has an expected recovery time of four months. The injury, to his left ankle, has persisted since Carolina’s playoff loss to San Francisco on Jan. 12, 2014. Team physician and renowned ankle surgeon Dr. Robert Anderson performed the procedure at Carolinas Medical Center.The timeline puts Newton out until the start of training camp in late July, meaning he will miss organized team activities this spring. The ankle has given Newton, who had his most successful season as a professional, pain this offseason. Newton said he “nicked” his ankle in the win against New Orleans in Week sixteen of last season.

Assuming Newton’s surgery goes as expected, the could be throwing again by the middle of June. Panthers quarterback Cam Newton will need as much time as possible to work with his new receivers. Carolina lost its top four wide receivers from last season in free agency. Having Newton available sooner would be important as he will be confronted with the challenge of developing timing with a new receiver group as Steve Smith (Baltimore Ravens), Brandon LaFell ( New England Patriots) and Ted Ginn Jr. (Arizona Cardinals) have all signed elsewhere as free agents.

The ankle is stabilized by 3 ligaments on the outside and one large ligament on the inside of the ankle joint. The ligaments on the outside of the ankle are most commonly injured. These ligaments can be stretched or torn with a roll, twist, or misstep of the foot. The symptoms include swelling, pain, and decreased range of motion. After a sprained ankle, the athlete is at increased risk for future sprains. The treatment is rest, ice, compression, and physical therapy to strengthen the muscles of the foot and ankle, focusing on balance. The recovery time is variable depending on the severity of the sprain. Mild sprains recover within a few days, moderate sprains normally recover in 1-3 weeks (but may require protective bracing for 5-8 weeks). Severe sprains may take 6-12 months to fully recover, although return to sports is generally much sooner. Only the most severe and unstable ankle sprains require surgery. Ligament instability reconstructions for the ankle require three to four months to fully heal, with full strength and sport activity occurring closer to five to six months. This comes with extensive physical therapy and training for balance, agility, and conditioning.